A Kyoto headliner, the annual Gion Festival is Japan’s most iconic celebration, with a history dating back to the year 869. Held every July for a full month, this grand affair honours Yasaka Shrine with an elaborate line-up of traditional events. The festival’s crowning moments, however, are the Yamaboko processions on July 17 (Saki Matsuri, or the first procession) and July 24 (Ato Matsuri, or the second procession). On these two days, the streets of central Kyoto come alive with majestic floats, live music and an electric atmosphere.
The enormous Yamaboko floats are a major reason why the Gion Festival is so beloved. Some reach up to 25 metres in height and weigh as much as 12 tonnes, yet they are still pulled by hand. Lavishly decorated with tapestries and embroidery, the floats are often referred to as moving art museums. Saki Matsuri is the larger of the two processions, featuring 23 floats compared to 11 in Ato Matsuri.
While the processions are free, public events, those wishing to enjoy the spectacle in comfort can book paid seats at a prime viewing spot.
July 17 procession
The first and grandest procession begins at the Shijo-Karasuma intersection. The paid viewing area on Oike Street offers regular seats starting at ¥4,600. At the other end of the scale, premium options are priced at ¥120,000 for a front-row seat without shade and ¥150,000 for second- and third-row tiered seating with parasols.
These premium spots come with perks: drinks (water, tea and juice), live commentary in Japanese and English, and access to Hotel Okura Kyoto’s banquet hall, where a buffet lunch is served from 12 noon to 2pm. These seats are strategically positioned at the south-west corner of the Kawaramachi-Oike intersection in front of Kyoto City Hall. Here you’ll get a prime view of the tsujimawashi, the dramatic 90-degree turns performed by the floats.
July 24 procession
The second procession begins at the Karasuma-Oike intersection instead. Paid seats are again available on Oike Street, with prices ranging from ¥4,600 to ¥11,500. However, unlike the first procession, there are no premium seats for this event.
For more information and to book your seats, visit the Kyoto Tourism website.
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